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| Senior Citizens Organisations - SCCs ... |
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The majority of the TOUs work is done through SCCs comprising of senior citizens in the coastal areas of Sri Lanka. The objective of the establishment of SCCs in separate Garamaseva Divisions is to create a network of SCCs able to collaborate and coordinate together. Local partners working in consultation with HelpAge approach older people in Batticaloa, Ampara, Hambantota, Matara and Galle districts and form |
| SCCs.SCCs are formed to establish a self managed, self determining network of organizations able to share ideas and resources and raise a collective voice to influence policies and issues affecting older people |
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Odayaneela SCC Kalawankani Batticaloa Sri Lanka |
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| Odayaneela SCC has 160 members of whom 86 are female and 84 male members. For many months they had their meetings under a tree but longed to have their own building for the SCC. They decided to purchase a land and collected Rs. 25,000 from their savings and purchased a ¼ acre land. The members then looked for funding from different institutions to construct a building.With the help of HelpAge’s local |
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| partner in the area,Odayaneela members handed over a proposal for their community centre to Sewalanka, a local NGO. Sewalanka together with NECCTED have now constructed a new building for the village. Apart from the monthly and bi-monthly meetings, the members now meet in small groups whenever time permits to share their daily lives’ ups and downs. |
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The members identify the SCC as an organisation that brings senior citizens together, giving them opportunities to share ideas, build friendships and be part of each others joys and sorrows. The members organize various religious and community programs and events.One member shared her experience of belonging to the SCC “this village was completely destroyed by the tsunami.Many of us lost loved ones, |
| homes and belongings but through the SCC we have found new strength to get back on our feet, we have found comfort just being among each other and sharing our pain and loss, we have also found happiness doing various religious and community activities together”. |
The SCC charge Rs.20 from each member for membership and this fund is saved for all the different activities and events.
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